The best beauty products made with food

Coconut

In beauty, coconut oil has a tradition as a natural nourisher. Its vitamin E and fatty acid content make it a superb moisturizer, and it adds shine to hair. Yves Rocher’s Polynesian-inspired Monoï oil, derived from steeping flowers in coconut oil, can be used as a massage oil or hair conditioner. Or add a capful to your bath. And coconut smells delicious in the shampoo and conditioner shown here.

Yves Rocher Monoï de Tahiti Traditional Gardenia Oil ($15, 100 mL). Baléa Moisturizing Shampoo Vanilla & Coconut Milk ($5, 710 mL). Kiehl’s Amino Acid Conditioner with Pure Coconut and Jojoba Oils ($26, 250 mL).

Blueberry

Blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant contents of any fruit or vegetable, and many of us are getting into the habit of sprinkling them on our cereal or snacking on them. In skin care, their vitamin C and anthocyanins help to fight the formation of free radicals. And it’s not just “earthy” companies that are big on blueberries: Physician-developed Skinceuticals uses four-percent extract in this face cream. Éminence says the blueberry juice and pulp in its night cream “tightens and tones skin.”

Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Mature Skin Treatment ($156, 48 mL). Éminence Organic Skin Care Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream ($60, 60 mL). Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Line Reducing Lip Treatment ($10, 2 g).

Pomegranate

This antioxidant- and nutrient-rich fruit has taken the industry by storm; typically, you’ll see it on labels as pomegranate seed oil or extract. It’s rich in ellagic acid, which a 2010 study showed to be “promising in interrupting” wrinkles and inflammation associated with photoaging. In the Burt’s Bees shampoo, it’s a volume booster; in the Korres toner, an astringent.

Burt’s Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo with Pomegranate ($10, 295 mL). Korres Pomegranate Toner, Oily to Combination Skin ($26, 200 mL). Weleda Pomegranate Firming Eye Cream ($33, 10 mL).

Corn

Cornstarch from the cupboard can be used as a dry shampoo, or mixed with water for a blemish remedy. And cornstarch polymers are used in cosmetics and creams as natural moisture absorbers and carriers. With ever more demand for natural products, it has become more common to see cornmeal and powder being used in scrubs such as these from Live Clean and The Body Shop. As for corn oil, it’s an ingredient in this Softsoap body wash.

Live Clean Spa Therapy Polishing Body Scrub ($10, 200 g). The Body Shop Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask ($17, 100 mL). Softsoap Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel Moisturizing Body Wash ($8, 532 mL).

Pineapple and Papaya

A tropical fruit trend is perking up our beauty aisles. Think enzymes: Papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple help exfoliate skin and keep it fresher and brighter looking. In Dermalogica’s exfoliant, these ingredients “digest excess surface cells.” Lush says the juiced organic papaya in its moisturizer
“eliminates excess oil.”

Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant ($50, 75 mL). Clean & Clear Morning Burst Skin Brightening Facial Cleanser ($9, 240 mL). Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Enzymion Facial Moisturizer ($39, 45 g).

Related:
• Beauty foods: What to eat to look great
• Nutricosmetics: Can drinks and foods make you beautiful?
• Green beauty: What the labels mean